Simulated surf and surfboard



Jan. 13, 1970 H. E; GOODRICH SIMULATED SURF AND SURFBOARD Filed Sept.20, 1965 United States Patent 935,66 Int. (:1. A63g 21/00; A63b 23/06US. Cl. 272-565 2 Claims ABSTRACT 01? THE DISCLOSURE The inventionincludes an apparatus for simulating waves by causing controlledundulations-in a continuous surface and a controllable board for ridingsaid simulated waves.

This invention relates to an apparatus for simulating the conditions ofsurfboard riding so that this art may be taught and practised on dryland.

The invention includes an apparatus for simulating surfboard riding andcomprises an inclined upwardly moving continuous surface, and acontrollable moving board. In another aspect of the invention theupwardly moving continuous surface undulates, said undulations resultfrom the movement of the axis of at least one of two or more rollersabout which the continuous surface moves. In another aspect of theinvention, the undulations in the continuous moving surface result fromthe movement of a roller or rollers beneath and in contact with thecontinuous moving surface. In another aspect of the invention thesurface is not revolving but is slack. The roller or rollers beneath thesurface cause undulations in the surface and the rider is carried to thetop in the nip immediately above the roller. Depending upon the depth ofthe nip or hollow near the top 'of the inclined surface a deflector mayor may not be required to start the board on its downward movement.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes an undulatingsurface provided by three rollers and a continuous covering over therollers. Two rollers rotate about fixed axis while the central axis ofthe third roller moves in an eccentric pattern. When the central axis ofthe moveable roller moves away from the fixed rollers, the surface ofthe material running over the rollers becomes more taut and theoperative surface approaches the angle determined by the two fixedrollers. When the central axis of the moveable roller moves toward thefixed rollers, the material running over the rollers becomes slack andthe angle of incline of the operative surface decreases. One of therollers serves as the driving roller and moves the endless covering overthe rollers.

The surface formed of an endless band of material about the threerollers may be made of material which is strong, durable and not overlybulky. Strength and durability are required in the surface because ofthe stresses in the surface caused by the continual tightening andloosening resulting from the movement of the axis of one of the rollersaway from and towards the other two rollers. The material forming theendless band may be comprised of several types of cloth, some having amuch lower coefficient of friction than others thereby adding to thedifficulty in riding the wave.

The surfboard is simulated by a board made of wood, plastic or likematerials having rollers mounted on the bottom. The rollers may be freerolling or one or more sets of rollers may have braking mechanismsactuated by the foot of the rider or actuated by the weight distributionof the rider on the top surface of the board. One simple type of brakingmechanism would consist of a brake actuator extending through the boardwhich could be operated by the riders foot. When the rollers are brakedthe "Ice board will progress up to the apex of the wave simulator andthen by shifting his weight off the brake, the rider and surfboard willproceed down the simulated wave surface. The rider may further controllateral movement of the simulated surfboard by transferring his weightto one side or other of the board. By arrangement of the angle ofincline and selection of a board and material for the surface whichrespectively have low coefiicients of friction a board may be used whichdoes not have rollers. Other objects of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed specification.

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, 1

FIGURE 1 is a view of the simulated wave maker.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the simulated surfboard.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the simulated wave maker with an irregularlyshaped fixed roller.

As shown in FIGURE 1 the simulated wave maker is comprised of threerollers. A fixed roller 1 is shown at the forward lower position of thesimulated wave maker. A driving roller 2 is at the apex of the wavesimulator. The driving roller is fixed but provides the power to movethe continuous band of material 3 about therollers. A moving roller 4moves in relation to the fixed roller 1 and driving roller 2, both ofwhich rollers rotate about fixed axes.

The simulated surfboard 5 as shown in FIGURE 2 is mounted on rollers 6and 7. By means of brake arrangement either or both of rollers 6 or 7may be prevented from revolving when the rider presses on the brake.

As shown in FIGURE 3 the simulated wave maker may consist of only tworollers, a driving roller 2 and a fixed roller 1. Furthermore, the fixedor driving rollers may be irregularly shaped to give further variationsto the simulated Wave surface.

In operation the rider will place the simulated surfboard 5 on thesurface 3 near fixed roller 1, the rider will then step on the simulatedsurfboard 5 so that the rollers 6, 7 or either one of 6 or 7 are braked,the board will then proceed up the undulating surface 3 until the ridernears the driving roller 2, the rider will then shift his weight off thebrake and the simulated board will proceed down the undulating surface.By transferring his weight to one or other side of the board, the riderwill also be able to achieve lateral movement on the moving surface.Another variation of providing an undulating surface and means to carrythe rider to the top of the surface would be the provision of a ratherslack surface. Under the surface would be a roller or series of rollerswhich would move upwardly causing a series of undulations in thesurface. The rider would stand on the board and be carried upwardly inthe nip immediately above the roller. A deflector would if necessary beplaced near the top to start the board on its downward movement. Theheight of the undulations near the top of the surface could be arrangedto be low, whereas the height of the undulations at the bottom would'begreater, facilitating carrying the rider upwards as well as facilitatingdownward movement of the board from the top of the surface.

While the above specification describes a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it should be understood that the invention includesvariations on this embodiment.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for simulating surfboard riding comprising at .least tworollers, a continuous belt arranged to run over the rollers, at leastone of the rollers being moveable relative to the at least other roller,said belt defining an operative contoured surface between two of therollers, the contour of the operative surface being controlled tosimulate a wave by the movement of the rollers in relation to eachother, and a controllable board for riding on the contour of theoperative surface, with 3 means for driving and moving at least oneofthe rollers for translating the'belt and variably'contouringthe'operative surface.

2.. An apparatus for simulating surfboard riding comprising at least tWorollers, a continuous belt arranged to run over the rollers, at leastone of the rollers being moveable relative to the at least other roller,said belt defining an operative contoured surface between two therollers, the contour of the operative surface being controlled tosimulate a wave by the movement of the rollers in relation to eachother, and a controllable board having moving parts and brakes on itsundersurface for riding on the contour of the operative surface, withmeans for driving and moving at least one of the rollers for translatingthe belt and variably contouring the operative surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1887 rM aye etala. W 1

5/1909 Volk 272-69 3/1917 Maynes 2721 8/1941 Ermel 27256.5 10/1944Niblack 27257 X 7/1962 Hall 27256.5

12/1964 Brass et al.

1/1965 Hall 27256.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 8/1954 France. v

6/ 1926 Switzerland.

6/1952 Germany ANTON OECHSLE, Primary Examiner ARNOLD W. KRAMER,Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl; X.R.

